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2 July 2018

The End of Blog Posts

Due to the lack of interest in this blog feed, I have decided to draw a close to it.

Thanks to those who regularly followed, and I hope you will continue to follow my exploits through my posts to the following:
  • YouTube: The major home of my video content, and where I now post a monthly workshop update, entitled 'Fluff & Stuff'
  • Patreon: For those who wish to support my online presence, from as little as $1/month, and where I will post early ad-free viewings of videos, exclusive content, and regular Q&As
  • Facebook/Instagram/Google+/Twitter: I try to serve up the same content on all of these, so you can follow whichever you prefer without feeling you're missing out.
Also, I'm aiming to continue to post an article each month on the new website, so please check those out.

Thanks and best wishes to all of you, Mitch

1 June 2018

My Rode Reel

News Flash

Please take a moment to view my entry into this years My Rode Reel competition, and hopefully vote for it. It's a chance for me to win some equipment to improve the instructional videos I'm making.

See it here: Meet the maker, in brief

Thanks

29 May 2018

Award!

Pleased to have been named as one of the top 10 UK woodworking blogs recently.



Regulars will know I've have various problems that have taken up my time over the last two years, meaning that, among other things, my blog and website have had to take a back seat. It's therefore extremely pleasing to have had this recognition.

You can check out the top 10 list at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_woodworking_blogs/
 

I'm working on ways to improve the blog and website at the moment, and with your help I hope to climb the UK list and even make it onto the world list in future.

27 May 2018

Out With The Bodgers at Wakehurst

You can't really beat the setting of Wakehurst for anything wood related. We headed up there this Sunday to enjoy the terrific gardens, and to explore the Wild Wood Festival. In particular, I had been invited to have a go at pole-lathe turning with Andrew of the Association of Pole-Lathe and Green Woodworkers.
The weather was gorgeous, although a little hot and humid, especially down in the glade with the pole-lathe turners and mosquitoes! I had only tried a pole-lathe for a couple of minutes before, so I wasn't expecting to achieve too much - maybe attempt to turn a clean cylinder and try a bead or two. However Andrew had a much better idea, tying in with the #TOOLMake Challenge that's running at the moment, and suggested making a round mallet. I use a large round mallet quite often, preferring it to the square headed variety, but I didn't own a small one for more delicate work. So, we had a goal. Next was the material, and when Andrew produced a 10" ash round, about 20" long, I knew I was in for a workout. The work I normally do is quite light, and I take my time - I'm not built for strength or endurance any longer! Anyway, with a goal and materials, tools and Andrew's knowledge, we had a project.

Of course, I did complete the mallet, which is a great addition to my tools. What's more, I learnt a lot about green woodworking and pole-lathe turning, as well as some general techniques that I'd never used before.
As a self-taught power turner, I can do what I need, am confident teaching at a basic level, and I'm safe. After today's experience, I have some more skills to try on the power lathe, and the strong desire to make a
pole-lathe of my own.
If you're interested in finding out more I strongly suggest checking out the website at www.bodgers.org.uk and finding your local group.
My light mallet, with burnt decoration
Needless to say, I videoed the build, and it will soon be available on YouTube.

Chisel Sharpening Article

Recently posted a new article on preparing and maintaining a sharp chisel. Although similar to a plane iron, a chisel is referenced on the work piece with it's back (predominantly), and this dictates a special feature of it's preparation.
Find out all you need to know, including the process and supplies, on the website


13 May 2018

Loving these Joints

Another new joint for me. I've produced a hybrid of two common timber frame joints, partly by accident as it happens, which I think looks and works pretty good. Now I can't claim it's unique - in fact I'm sure enough searching will find other examples, but I did enjoy making something that I'd never seen before.
As far as I'm concerned it would be a decent timber framing scarf joint. I'd love to hear if anyone has seen one the same, maybe even has one lengthening a post or beam in their barn!
For now, you can watch a video of me making it on YouTube:

Opens in YouTube

29 April 2018

Plane Iron Sharpening Article

If you struggle to keep your plane iron cutting well, take a look at the first in a new series of articles I'm going to be posting.
Plane Iron Sharpening will tell you a simple method, that is both quick and effective, for getting and maintaining sharp irons, along with suggestions of suitable products for the purpose.

14 April 2018

£20 Workbench Ad

So the £20 workbench is complete...
The plans are available on the downloads page...
Time for an advert!

4 April 2018

Say Hello at the NEC

I shall be at Makers Central on the 5th and 6th of May, so do say hello if you're there.

This is an event for makers from the UK and the rest of the world.

YouTube makers will be there to meet viewer's in the flesh, and thank them for their support.

But rather than me going on about it, why not visit their official site.

Oh yes, I shall be making an announcement about this years #TOOLMake challenge - hopefully live at the event, but certainly filmed there for release on my channel.

Hope to see you there!

For those attending the heirloom box making course at my workshop that week, I shall leave you in Mike's capable hands for Saturday and Sunday, and be back from Monday morning.

15 March 2018

Bubinga joins my World of Woods

Bubinga is the latest wood to feature in my World of Woods series on YouTube


8 March 2018

Website Downtime

Sorry for the recent difficulties here on my site - it shows my lack of technical knowledge in this area! Google requested additional proof of title to my domain name, to allow me to include links in my YouTube videos. Following their instructions brought about the problems, and I was unable to resolve it at the time. To be honest, I'm still not quite sure how I fixed it in the end.

3 March 2018

Plans for the £20 Workbench

I'm pleased to say that the plans for the £20 workbench are now available on my Downloads page.

Meanwhile, the second video is currently uploading to YouTube, so check that out later.

Further plans, for the bench accessories, will follow in due course.

17 February 2018

15 February 2018

£20 Workbench Progress

The £20 workbench is coming along. The basic bench is now complete, and provides a very solid basis for the envisioned workbench. Clearly there is still more to do, but already it is useful to use while preparing the accessories that will be fitted in the coming weeks.


I'm starting the editing of the first build video, and hope that will be available soon.
Let me know what sort of work holding devices you feel are important for a workbench, and hopefully I can include them all.

20 January 2018

New Site!

Hi folks,

I'm creating a new website to amalgamate all my content. You'll find it at my usual URL of www.womadeod.co.uk however there may be teething problems with links for a while, and I apologise for that.

Links between old and new sites will be available in the top menu for the foreseeable future.

Cheers

8 January 2018

Kawai Tsugite

Another Japanese Joint for you to enjoy.
 
Instructable

This joint is probably too weak to be useful in making anything, but provides great marking out and paring practice - something any woodworker worth his salt should invest in!

I've prepared two videos (below), one just with a demonstration to music, the other with a voice over of the preparation process. There is also a written instructable on my Instructables page.




Let me know what you think, and do send me a photo if you try this joint out for yourself.

1 January 2018

Happy New Year

Once again, this year will mostly be a continuation of filming informative woodworking videos for both my main YouTube channel, and also my Get Into Woodworking YouTube channel. However, I have also begun a channel dedicated to the best of my woodworking videos, and I shall be populating that with special editions of past and future videos that prove to be most popular.
My Miniature Zen Garden
I'm teaching woodworking at the MSW locally; so anyone interested in that from around the Eastbourne area should get in touch with MSW direct.
Private lessons are, of course,  also available, for which you can contact me.

Last year was a worrying time, with some serious illness in my family, and I'm hoping that with that situation somewhat calmed down, I shall be better placed to focus. Thanks to everyone who showed support during that time.

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2018